Porter’s Full Throttle Takes The Lead In Newport

Newport, R.I. - A great, yet fantastically challenging day of racing took place in Newport for the 2010 Layline Oakcliff Northeast Regatta, hosted by Sail Newport. Three races were held revealing John Porter with tactican Jonathan McKee on Full Throttle in first place, Jason Carroll’s Argo is second with John Baxter on tactics, and in third is Jim Swartz and long-time tactician Gavin Brady on Q.

Porter’s Full Throttle poured on the speed right out of the gate. Michael Dominguez on Bronco had a great start putting him out front early to round the windward mark in first. Porter trailed in second followed by John Taylor on Ninkasi. Downwind Dominguez held his own to round through the gate with the breeze dropping off significantly and fast. With a change of course to 000, Porter over took Dominguez for the lead for the shortened race to win.

In race two, Q took the lead early with an aggressive pin end start. The really hot contest was between Robert Hughes with tactician Charlie Ogletree on Heartbreaker and Kip Meadows on roXanne with Andy Horton calling the shots. Meadows held on with a strong second position up until the last sprint to the finish. Hughes triumphed staying more center to the course while Meadows struggled with boat speed out on the right. Better pressure put Swartz across in first, Hughes was second and Porter finished third.

The last and final race of the day belonged to Jeff Ecklund on STAR. From almost start to finish, Ecklund had a firm grip on the lead, or at least within sight and was determined to hold on for victory. With Bill Hardesty on tactics, STAR rounded second behind Italy’s Carlo Perrone on Atlantica 19 at the first mark. Ecklund eventually overtook Perrone for the win. Perrone settled for second, Hughes took third.

After racing, teams congregated at Celeritas’ Malcolm and Kathy Gefter’s home for snacks, wine and Long Trail Beer. Daily awards were given out to the top teams of the day. Special thanks to Mac Designs and Seahorse Magazine for the cool prizes provided alongside of the classic, overall daily winner bottles of champaign.

ABOUT THE SPONSORS The 2010 Melges 24 National Championship is graciously supported and encouraged by the following businesses. The U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) is especially grateful to title sponsors Layline and Oakcliff Sailing Center.

LAYLINE The 'Original Performance Sailing Retailer', for over 20 years, Layline is back with a new vigor to provide sailors with the absolute best in custom rigging, gear, and sailing apparel. Layline is proud to be the Title Sponsor and Official Supplier of Gear and Rigging of the 2010 Layline Oakcliff U.S. Melges 24 Nationals as well as the Platinum Sponsor of the U.S. Optimist Class, Official Supplier to their U.S. National Team and Title Sponsor of the 2010 USODA Layline Nationals. Visit layline.com to learn more.

OAKCLIFF SAILING CENTER The Oakcliff Sailing Center, located in Oyster Bay, NY offers a growth path for sailors who are serious about excelling in competition as well as in the business of sailing. Operating from an America's Cup-like campus, they maintain a cutting edge fleet of Swedish Match 40's, Shields, Melges 24's, Farr 40's, IRC racers, and three classic wooden yachts.

As a foundation dedicated to the growth of individuals who are serious about the sport, Oakcliff founded the Acorn Program. This program immerses recipients in the world of sailing, covering everything from the sponsorship/business side of sailing, to high-level match racing skills. Graduating Acorns are fully prepared to manage race boats, sail in the America's Cup or become a business entrepreneur. Visit oakcliffsailing.org to learn more.

SAIL NEWPORT Sail Newport's Mission is to grow the sport of sailing, bring special events to Newport, and to provide public access to sailing programs in Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay for all ages and all economic levels. Sail Newport's one design storage, regatta and service facilities make it the home for one design fleets such as the massive J/24 Fleet 50, the Laser 413 Frostbite Fleet and the 30+ boat Newport Shields Fleet 8. Visit sailnewport.org to learn more.